To our fellow Wiscasset residents:

We have created a petition to repeal the relocation of Wiscasset’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, as advised by the town Select Board. With your support, we aim to overturn the November 2024 vote to move the plant to Sand Hill/42 Hodge Street. Repealing this decision will allow us to work with the town to address concerns and find a better solution for our community’s economic and environmental wellbeing.

To participate in this petition:

• Eligibility: You must be a registered Wiscasset voter for your signature to count. 

• If you own property in Wiscasset but aren’t a registered voter, please write a letter, sign it, and mail it to: RAWS, 10 Danforth Street, Wiscasset, ME, 04578. Please send promptly as timing is critical. We will submit these to the board as well—copy the petition details and note your status as a property-owning taxpayer.

Signing the Petition:

• The Town requires signatures to be witnessed, so we cannot utilize an online form. Members of our group will have hard copies of the petition, with signature page, so that we can individually certify the witnessing of signatures.  

• We will post signing dates and locations on this website when those have been determined, as there are additional guidelines to be met.

Spread the word: Share this website and encourage participation. We need 200 valid signatures for this first phase—let’s make it happen!

Stay updated: Bookmark this site and check back for more information and updates, including financial impacts of the relocation. After repealing the vote, we may appeal to the DEP and EPA to grandfather the current location and permit a wall; community help is welcome. Once the petition is complete, we’ll contact everyone about next steps and delegate tasks.

Stay connected: Please provide your phone number or email so we can keep you informed of updates and meetings.

Our future depends on your action. Make your voice heard—thank you for your support!

We are pleased to report that we recently participated in the Town Select Board meeting held on September 2, where we met with our elected town officials and the Town Manager. During this meeting, we had the opportunity to present our case regarding the proposed relocation of the wastewater treatment facility. Both sides were able to express their perspectives and voice their concerns. At times, the conversation became contentious, reflecting the importance and complexity of the issues at hand. However, the overall tone remained respectful, with all participants recognizing the validity of each other’s points. This spirit of civility and open dialogue enabled us to move beyond disagreement and work constructively toward a common

goal.

At the conclusion of the meeting, we were deeply gratified to witness the townspeople and elected officials uniting behind a clear and cohesive plan for the future. This outcome demonstrates the strength and resilience of our community, especially when faced with challenging decisions.

Moving forward, we will be pursuing an appeal to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request permission to grandfather our current location. Our aim is to secure approval to construct the seawall and implement flood resistance measures. We firmly believe this initiative is in the best interest of our community. Economically, it aims to prevent the loss of property values and avoid tax increases, while supporting local business interests. Furthermore, the proposed plan places a strong emphasis on safeguarding public and environmental health by situating the property downhill and downwind from local residences, thereby ensuring the well-being of our community into the future. At the same time, it demonstrates a commitment to honoring Wiscasset’s historic character, thoughtfully preserving the unique heritage for which our town is renowned.

As we progress, we will be seeking the assistance of Wiscasset residents to sign petitions or express their support for the current appeal to the DEP. This collective effort will demonstrate that both town officials and residents of Wiscasset are united in their support. More information will be provided on this website, and we will reach out when we are ready for the next phase and to collect signatures.

To stay informed about each step as we progress, please provide your name and email address through the contact information listed on this website. This will also enable us to notify you when we are ready for signatures. Additionally, it is important to note that one of the key takeaways from this meeting is the lack of awareness and involvement expressed by town officials regarding notifications about ongoing public interest issues. To address this, we encourage everyone to visit the Town of Wiscasset website and sign up for text and email notifications. This proactive approach will ensure that you are informed and involved, rather than feeling as though you are fighting against a process without adequate notification. Subscribing to our local newspapers is also an excellent way to stay informed.

We encourage residents to keep their signs displayed to show ongoing support. If others would like to request signs, please contact us at the email address provided below. As we engage with state legislators, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we believe that the signs serve as a powerful visual representation of the level of support for this issue.

A sincere thank you goes out to our town officials for their thoughtful engagement and leadership. We are very pleased with the outcome of the meeting and grateful to be part of a community where people can come together, even around contentious issues, to reach positive and meaningful resolutions.

The presentation specifics, handouts, and research references can be found on the "Sept. 2 Presentation" page.